Chapter 32: Peace of Mind

Chapter 32: Peace of Mind

The brushstrokes of time permeate the forest layer after layer, turning the grass, trees and mountains into a green screen.

Finally, when he had no other business arrangements, Chi Shu took the time to travel back to his home in North City early.

Spring has indeed arrived quietly. Many flowers and trees in the courtyards and gardens are blooming in full splendor, swaying gracefully in the wind or standing tall on the branches.

Chi Shu admired them and felt even better.

Suddenly, I saw a few birds flapping their wings under the eaves of the dark tiles, and then they spread their wings and flew away into the distance.

Strolling along the corridor, she saw wisteria wrapped around the carved wooden railings, and the hanging flower spikes gently brushed her shoulders.

The housekeeper, who was guiding the gardeners to transport the saplings, saw her come back and greeted her warmly and kindly.

Seeing this, she thought happily: Perhaps, after all, there is no need to be afraid. The scenery is perfect, and so are the people, no matter who they are.

It was such a coincidence that I came back, Ji Jinyi happened to be at home.

She originally thought that she would have to inform him first and then could only wait for Ji Jinyi to come back.

But unfortunately, just after they had a meal together, Ji Jinyi seemed to be getting ready to go out again.

Chi Shu was already very familiar with such scenes. So her thoughts wandered for a while.

In all the days before, every time Ji Jinyi was about to go on a long journey, she would stay by his side like this.

She was afraid that she would not see Ji Jinyi for a long time, but she had no reason to let Ji Jinyi accompany her alone.

But Ji Jinyi rarely came home, so she had to spend many lonely nights alone. Apart from Aunt Ming, who was not related to her, she had no one to keep her company.

And now, Chi Shu was still watching silently from a distance. But time seemed to not allow her to hesitate or waver, and the seconds were passing by, urging her to make a decision as soon as possible.

Therefore, when Ji Jinyi was packing her handbag, she slowly walked to her side and asked cautiously: "Mom, I have something to tell you. Can I take up a moment of your time?"

When Ji Jin heard this, she stopped what she was doing and turned her head with a little surprise, looking back at Chi Shu who had her head half lowered, but she did not respond. She just lowered her eyes and looked at her condition.

Chi Shu rarely spoke to her so seriously, and most of the time he was very obedient and submissive.

So Ji Jinyi walked to the other side and sat down in silence, motioning Chi Shu to continue.

Chi Shu looked up at Ji Jinyi who was sitting elegantly on the rosewood sofa with a lotus pattern across from him.

She sighed softly, then mustered up the courage to speak sincerely, "I'm lucky enough to have met a very good man, and he treats me very well. I think you could meet him."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Jinyi frowned in displeasure, and her slender fingers slowly stroked the Pure Heart Stone Floating Flower Jade Bracelet on her wrist, as if she was considering and restraining something.

Chi Shu walked around the Ru kiln celadon porcelain vase placed at the edge of the antique shelf and sat on the edge of the brocade cushion on the sofa. He gently placed his hands on Ji Jinyi's delicate wrist, which was resting on the armrest, to appease her dissatisfaction. Then he continued to speak, his tone still sincere and earnest:

"As you can see, I didn't neglect my studies because of him. Furthermore, he has always been my guiding light, giving me the courage to pursue my dreams during those dark and difficult times.

"Now that I am about to enter a new stage of study, I especially want to tell you in person that there is such a person who has become another person besides you to protect me and move forward. He is equally important to me.

"So, could you please put aside some of your prejudices for a moment, perhaps just for my sake, and try to get to know and understand him?"

Ji Jinyi fell into deep thought because of her words. Looking at his daughter's calm and composed behavior and speech, he suddenly realized that she had grown into an adult without him noticing.

She thought for a long time before finally speaking in a deep voice, but she asked in return: "Have you been with him for a long time?"

Chi Shu immediately explained, "No, I haven't told him yet. I want to tell you my thoughts honestly first, and of course I want to get your consent."

Ji Jin looked at her daughter in front of her with such expectation and a tone so sincere that it was almost pleading. She suddenly felt that she could not refute the rebuke. She just looked at each other in silence, and seemed to be hesitant to speak. But in the end, she said:

"Men's sweet words can't be trusted. Even though they are affectionate, they are also promiscuous. Before they get what they want, they often make affectionate promises of forever, but unfortunately, after they get what they want, they forget all those promises. I don't want you to be fooled by such illusions. Have you forgotten what I once said?"

Chi Shu was startled when he heard this, and then sincerely expressed his inner thoughts:

"I haven't forgotten it. I remember it very clearly, so I keep reminding myself not to indulge in it. I need to be able to support myself independently, work hard to pursue my ideals, and do my best to achieve the results I want. At the very least, I shouldn't become anyone's vassal.

"But beyond all that, I've been fortunate enough to meet him. Over the years, he's encouraged me to move forward on the path of my dreams and never let me lose my way. So I think he's probably worth my effort to take this step for him. Even if the result isn't what I expected, at least it's worth meeting him.

"Besides, I now have enough ability to shoulder the burden of the future. I won't disappoint you, nor will I worry you. So, just consider it as fulfilling this small wish of mine, okay?"

Seeing her pleading so expectantly, Ji Jinyi was silent for a long time. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and reluctantly give in, but his tone was still a little tough:

"In that case, he'd better not disappoint me. When I make some time, invite him over for dinner. It'll be a formal meeting."

Chi Shu was instantly overjoyed when he heard this: "Thank you, Mom!"

Ji Jinyi was not happy about this. The precedent of men was there, and she felt that most of them were birds of the same feather.

In order to prevent this innocent daughter from being carried away by joy, Ji Jinyi deliberately avoided Chi Shu's eyes that looked like someone else's, and reminded him again:

"Don't be too happy too soon. Remember what I said, he'd better not let me down."

Chi Shu suppressed his overjoyed expression, pursed his lips and replied softly, "Okay."

This time, Ji Jinyi only said, "I still have to go on a business trip, and my return date is uncertain. If you don't have anything to do at school, you can rest at home for two days." Then he got up and walked out without waiting for Chi Shu's response.

…

The emptiness just envelops me in circles, making my joy and happiness slip away bit by bit with the passage of time, leaving only the light and shadow outside the window flowing silently.

Chi Shu felt the tranquility of the front hall returning, and felt inexplicably lonely. He leaned helplessly against the Xiangyunsha pillow on the sofa, as if his strength had been drained away. He squinted his eyes and took in the furnishings in the house that were already so familiar to him. However, the sunlight pouring in from the window made them seem even more dazzling.

The kesi cloud-patterned soft curtains on the carved floor-to-ceiling windows filter the sunlight into fine gold foil.

The green jade auspicious cloud pattern carpet floats with golden ripples in the flow of light and shadow.

The curling green smoke from the cloisonné enamel incense burner is wrapped around the Suzhou embroidery of "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" on the wall.

It was clearly such a lively and elegant atmosphere, but it once again made Chi Shu feel lonely.

So she went back to school alone.

At least there were people there she wanted to see.